Domestic Violence: Social Influences on Gender and Violence

Domestic Abuse is a Vicious Cycle

Male perceptions and domination in society shapes many aspects of female sexuality. In other terms, paternalism has been and still is a major influence on gender roles in American society (Brown 78-80; Kirk & Okazawa-Rey 71-72). These influences are part of the institutions and structures in society. Furthermore, male dominance is enforced by the use of violence in order to maintain the acceptable roles in society and suppress any others that are considered unacceptable or abnormal. Heterosexuality is supported in society starting at the family level and growing from there into institutions and social structures. For example, marriage is considered acceptable and participants in this practice receive benefits from the government, in their employment and from their insurance companies. Religious and governmental practices support heterosexuality (Kirk & Okazawa-Rey 165). The patriarchal ideals handed down from the past are the basis of these structures. Females become objects for sex in these ideals by being presented in their gender roles. Males must be the initiators of action in their acceptable heterosexual roles. Females in their turn must be virtuous and alluring at the same time. Aggressive sexuality or choices other than heterosexuality for a female are considered negative and put into derogatory terms. Yet, males often do as they please to the extreme of using force and facing little if any punishment for it. Females must keep their virtues rigorously in order to avoid having their actions seen as seductive and deserving of blame for any unasked for sexual occurrences (Brown 78-80). This is a blatant double standard between the sexes. A large number of females have had violent encounters that cause stress and problems for them years into the future (Kirk & Okazawa-Rey 166-9).